Horseshoe Hero: Colts’ Comeback Falls Short vs. Jaguars
Andrew Luck determinedly scrambles by the Jacksonville defense. He was the Colts’ second-leading rusher. Photo: Getty Images
Colts 17 – Jaguars 22
Horseshoe Hero
The Colts suffered a frustrating lost Sunday afternoon to their AFC-South rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars, 22-17. After taking an impressive 14-3 lead into halftime, the Colts gave up 13 unanswered points and allowed running back Maurice Jones-Drew to – literally – run all over them (177 yards). Although the team made a gallant 4th quarter comeback, tying the game with just over a minute left in the game, some scrappy play led to another 6-point deficit and not enough time to make it up. The Colts were left with an “L,” some significant injuries…and a few notable Horseshoe Heroes.
Offense
Andrew Luck continues to fight hard. The rookie quarterback threw for 313 yards, had 2 touchdown passes, and recorded just one interception. While there are obviously growing pains, Luck does his team far more good than bad. For the second straight week, he threw a touchdown pass in the final 2:00 of the half, and he completed passes to 7 different receivers. He was even the team’s second-leading rusher.
T.Y. Hilton led the Colts in receiving this week, catching 4 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown – the first of his young career. The third round draft pick is an alumnus of Florida International University, and he became the first Panther to ever record a touchdown in the National Football League. Melwede Moore caught the other touchdown pass of the day, his first as a Colt.
Veteran Reggie Wayne may not have recorded a touchdown, but with his 8 receptions, he surpassed the 12,000-yard receiving mark for his career. Could he be Hall of Fame bound? He’s certainly a shoo-in for the Colts’ Ring of Honor, which welcomed former running back Edgerrin James into its circle during halftime.
The offense suffered two significant losses when both center Samson Satele and wide receiver Austin Collie left the game with knee injuries. Satele re-aggravated his previously ailing knee, while Collie injured his for the first time. It seems that while the talented and humble Collie – so worthy of success in the league – can catch footballs, he cannot seem to catch a break. After being plagued by concussions in the last 3 seasons, a knee injury is the last thing he deserves. I wish him the best of luck in his recovery – and Satele too.
Defense
The defense got a complete remodel this season while converting to a 4-3 scheme, and a lot of players switched positions, including Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Mathis. It would seem that after being so incredibly gifted at one position, it would be difficult to make such a drastic change, but Mathis seems like he is born to play linebacker. Mathis had a nice strip to force a fumble in the first half, and he also recorded a sack. He just needs other players to step up around him.
Special Teams
Kicker Adam Vinatieri almost became the game-winning hero for the second straight week, nailing a game-tying 37-yarder with a minute left to play. Although he missed a field goal earlier in the game, Vinatieri always seems to come through when the game is on the line. Punter Pat McAfee again kicked a 60+ yard punt, and Cassius Vaughn returned a kickoff 40 yards. The Colts haven’t had a return like that in a long time.
The Colts have a bye next week, but they will look to get back in the win column on October 7th when they host their toughest opponent yet, the Green Bay Packers. Will they equal their win total from last year just 4 games into the season? They certainly have a lot of the right pieces to do so. Horseshoe Hero will have all the details for you, right here on Naptown’s Finest. For more, you can follow me on Twitter at @catierae08.